International Incidents

CHINA: There is a debrief coming, but I wanted to touch on two things before I turn my attention to that project. First, the serious one regarding the situation with China playing the United States. Both RSLFM (who was way ahead on this topic) and Dan Loney have weighed in on this, and I think they're correct in the larger picture. Whether or not it is wise or unwise to engage China diplomatically or economically, the idea that people are being ejected for unfurling flags of Taiwan is repugnant. Does the stadium and the ownership have the right to do such a thing? Well, if it is private property, then they probably do. Yet it's a pretty cowardly thing to do. Loney writes:

Someday, China will be free. And when that day comes, they will remember who was on their side, and who wasn’t. Right now, MLS is making sure they have a very prominent role in a very dark page. Hopefully, when that page in history is written, it will be MLS fans who are remembered, and not MLS suits.

I have no problems with US Soccer and MLS scheduling games against teams with autocrats as rulers. Hell, we're playing Copa America in Venezuela, and if the fates should smile on the USA and we get a lead in a game, I wouldn't be surprised if the media feed to the game was shut down. Just saying. But in the United States, to have US suits order people out of the stadium for daring to bring in another flag... it's sickening. The other writers have this covered much better than I do, but I am in full agreement with them. Politics over, now to fun.

MEXICO: Bob Bradley and the US Team were taking flack for not winning convincingly enough. Sure, they haven't conceded a goal, but 1-0 and 2-0 wins over CONCACAF minnows on US Soil wasn't good enough. Bradley himself even voiced his discontent with the results, and I was wondering if there was something wrong with me for not being upset with the US performance to date. Then Mexico has to rally against Cuba before actually dropping a game to Honduras. Kids, I'd much rather have two clean sheets (in situations where the US kept the other team's attack in check for most of the game) then be where Mexico is right now. Sure, Mexico's going to get out of the group stage, and a 4-1 thrashing of Panama wouldn't surprise me, but man, it was fun to watch them lose. Especially to Honduras, the country of the epically long national anthem. Good on them. And good on Bradley for being willing to say something other than "Results are all that matter." I wouldn't agree with him, but it's not what I expect to hear. And wouldn't it be sweet if somehow Mexico got knocked out? Not going to happen, but still...